Regulating mechanism for automatic musical instruments.



P. W LIN & H. UTTERBBRQ REGULATING MBGHANISM F03 AUTOMATIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS. APPLICATION PILBDJAN. 14, 1905.

999,281 Patented Aug. 1-,- 191-1.

UNITED STATES. iguana? OFFICE.

PETER WELIN ANDI-IJALMAB U'ITERBERG, OF NEWCASTLE, INDIANA, ASSIGNORS, BY DIRECT LAND MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO THE KR-ELL AUTO-GRAND PIANO CO. OF AMERICA, OF GfiNNERSVILIJE, INDIANA, A CORPORATION F INDIANA.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 1, 1911.

Application filed January 14, 1905. Serial No. 241,021.

To all whom it may concern: I

Be it known that we, PETER l/VELIN and HJALMAR UT'IERBERG.; citizens ofthe United States, residing at Newcastle, in the county of Henryand State of Indiana, have inventeda new and useful Regulating Mechanism for Automatic Musical Instruments, of

which the following is a specification.

" This invention relates to'that class of playing attachments for musical instrume'nts which are controlled by perforated 1 paper.

The especial object of this invention is to provide a simple, compact and eflicient means for regulatingthe air tensions to produce different operations in an instrument of the class referred to.

To this end, this invention consists of the governor mechanism and of the combinatlons of parts therein as hereinafter described and more particularly pointed out vices are inclosed within the piano casing,

and a regulator constructed according to our invention is especially adapted for use in such a piano. It is to be understood, however, that our regulator may, if desired, be applied to different classes of instruments; for example, to what are known as push-up piano-players in which the pneumatic action is inclosed in a separate casing.

Referring to the accompanying drawing and in detail, in Fig. 1 we have illustrated the bellows and the storage reservoir for the exhaust, whichis to be controlled by our.

governor. As shown 'in this figure, the mo haust is generated by upright bellows or feeders F--F which are located in one of the panels between the middle rear posts or uprights of the piano casing. The feeders or bellows FF are connected to exhaust the air from the usual storer or reservoir S, located in one of the outside panels between the posts or uprights of the piano casing. The governor box A is preferably located in the lower part of the piano casing, prefer-.

ably below the-key-board, and the storer or. reservoir is connected to a chamber 2-3 formed in the governor box A by a passage The partition forming one side of the chamber 23 is provided with two ports 25 for exhausting air from a second chamber 28 formed in the governor box, this communication being established through an intermediate chamber 230 and a port 11. The ports 25 and 11, and. the chamber 23 constitute a passage-way. At the opposite side, the chamber 23 is provided with a portopening 12 which communicates with an air channel 30 which extends over to the other side of the governor box. The ports 25 are controlled by a double slide valve or choker V, when it is desired to modulate or automatically regulate the exhaust for the playing devices.

Formed in the wall of the governor box and bottom of the chamber 23 is a port 24 which extends into a-recess' which is con-- nected by. aport 2410 to said chamber 28. These ports 24 and 240 constitute another passageway. ,The port 24: is controlled by a valve 13 which is carried by a circular diaphragm 1 1 which closes said recess, a spring arm 26 carrying said valve. The spring arm 26 is engaged at an intermediate point by an adjustable bearing piece 27 threaded into which is a thread-rod 15 which is journaled in brackets or hearing pieces secured to the side of the governor box. The end of the rod 15 is turned out, as shown, and by turning the rod the bearing piece 27 can beadjusted back and forth to vary the efie'ctive length of the spring 26. By moving the adjustable piece 27 toward the valve 13, the eiiective length of the spring will be shortened so that the same will act more stitliy and a higher degree of exhaustion will be attained in the action before the regulating valve 13 will automatically close.

The chamber 28 communicates by a passage 16 to a chamber 17, which latter connects by passages 155 to the main wind-trunk T, which leads to the action of the instrument. The port.l6 is controlled by a shutott" valve 29 which is mounted on a pneumatic bellows 19, which valve 29 is arranged to close the port 16 to cut oft the main wind trunk during rewinding, as hereinafter described. The valves and means for regu lating the wind motor are located at the other end of the governor box, as shown in Fig. '2. The channel 30 connects to a chamber 31.

- Opening tliroughthe bottom of the chamber 31 is a port which is controlled by an automatic motor regulating valve 20. This valve is mounted on a diaphragm 50 and is normally held open by a spring 33, the effective length of which can be regulated by a bearing piece 34 mounted on a threadrod 51 arranged similarly to the thread-rod 15. The adjustment of themotor regulating valve is similar to that of the modulating valve 13. Through the port 32 and a passage 52 air is exhausted from a third chamber and opening through the side of the chamber 35 is a tapered port 53 which is controlled by a tempo valve 36 in a chamber 57. The controlling action of the tempo valve 36 will regulate the motor to wind the music-sheet at different speeds.

In the bottom part of the chamber 31 is a channel 38 which is normally connected through a slide valve 40 (see Fig. 3), to a channel 39 which channel 39 is connected to a pneumatic 54.- carrying a shut-ofi Valve 37 and said passage-39 is also connected by a channel ll to a pneumatic 19 which carries the shut-oil valve 29. When the slide valve is opened for the purpose of rcwindmg, at-

mospheric pressure will be admitted to the pneumatics which operate the valves 37 and 19. The valve 37 is normally held to its seat by a spring 55, as shown. lVhen the pneumatics operate the valves, the valve 37 will open for direct connection between the storer S and the motor during rewinding, while the valve 29 closing will cut off the connection between the bellows and pneumatic action during rewinding. The motor is connected to the chamber 57 by a passage 56.

in the complete governor constructed ac cording to this ivention it will be seen that manner an advantageous arrangement 0 choker V which can be manipulated to COL. nect he playing devices directly with the exhaust reservoir or closed so that .ie air from the playing devices must pass th ough the automatically modulated air channels 24 and Bit), an automatic regulating valve which controls said air channels when the choker is closed,an automatic valve 20 adapteeaesi ting off the pneumatic action during rewinding.

The construction herein illustrated is especially adapted to be housed in the lower part of the casing of an ordinary upright piano, although it is to be understood that our construction may be used in different classes of instruments as before explained.

We are aware that numerous changes may be made in the construction, of our governor without departing from the scope of our invention as expressed in the claims.

We do not wish, therefore, to be limited to the construction we have herein shown and described, butlVhat we do claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is 1. In a valve mechanism for use in constructions of the class described, the combination of an air chamber having a port therefrom, a diaphragm, avalve carried by the diaphragm for closing the. port, a springarm connected with the valve and mounted outside the chamber for 1101 ing the valve open, a bearing piece for tl;\e spring-arm, and meal i'for adjusting the bearing piece to regulate the stifl'ness and resiliency of the spring arm. 7

2. In a valve mechanism for use in con; structions of the class described, the combination of an air chamber having a port therefrom, a circular diaphragm, a valve carried by the diaphragm for closing the port, a spring arm coinected with the valve and mounted outside the chamber for holding the valve open, a bearing piece engagmg the spring arm between the valve and its point of support, and an adjusting rod. threaded into the bearing piece, whereby by turning the rod, the bearing piece will be shifted to change the stiitness and resiliency of the spring-arm.

3. In a governor mechanism for devices of the class described, the combination with 5 ing the shut-off valve open, an air trunk for we have combined in an exceedingly compact the motor, a shut-off valve, a spring normally closing the shut-oil valve to cut off direct bellows connection with the motor, a pneumatic for each of the shut-oti' valves, and means for simultaneously imitting air pressure to both of said pnein tatics to cut the wind trunk of the pnei matic action, a i to make direct bellows connection with 14 motor during rewinding.

l. In a construction of the class described, .he combination of a motor, a main wind trunk, a normally closed valve for making direct bellows connections with the motor during rewinding. a normally opened valve for the main wind trunk, pneumatics for each of said valves, and a slide valve admitting air to operate said neumatics to make direct connection between the bellows and motor, and to cut oil the playing devices being adapted to be connected with the motor, a passage from the second chamber for communicating with the main wind-trunk, a valve for closing said passage, a pneumatic for operating said last named valve, an air channel connecting the first named chamber to the third chamber through a port, a valve for controlling the last named port, a

' pneumatic for controlling said valve controlled by the air tension in the channel, a

valve for connecting said air channel di-' rectly with the motor, a pneumatic for operating said last named valve, and a slide valve for controlling the last named pneumatic and the pneumatic operating the valve controlling the connection of the second chamber with the main windtrunlr.

6. As an article of manufacture, a pneumatic governor box having a partition therein and provided with. an exhaust chamber having an exhaust passage connected therewith, said exhaustchamber being located on one side of the partition, and a second exhaust chamber located on the same side'of-the partition, an intermediate chamber located on the opposite side of the partition, said partition having ports therethrough for connecting the intermediate chamber with both of the other-chambers, a regulating connection between the first and second chambers, a valve for controlling the ports between the first chamber and the in termediate chamber, a main wind trunk, said partition having ports connecting said second chamber with the main wind trunk, and pneumatic means for controlling the connection between the second chamber and main wind trunln 7. As an article of manufacture a pneumatic governor box having a" partition therein and provided. with an exhaust chamher having an exhaust passage connected therewith, and a second exhaust chamber, both of said chambers being located on the same side of the partition, an intermetuate chamber located on the opposite side of the partition, said partition having ports therethrough for connecting the intermediate chamber with both of the other chambers, 21 regulating connection between the first and second chambers, means for controlling the port opening between the first chamber and the intermediate chamber, a main wind trunk, said partition having ports'connecting said second chamber with the main wind trunk, an exhaust chamber at the other end of the governor box, and an unrestricted air'channel from the first chamber to the last named exhaust chamber.

8. As an article of manufacture, a pneumatic governor box having a partition therein and provided with an exhaust chamber, and a second exhaust chamber l cated on the same side of the partition, an interme-' diate chamber located on the opposite side of the partition, said partition having ports therethrough for. connecting the intermediate chamber with both of the other chambers, a regulating connection between the first and second chambers, means for controlling the port opening between the first chamber and the intermediate chamber, a main wind trunk, said partition having ports connecting said second chamber with the main wind trunk, a chamber at the other end of the governor box directly connected with the first chamber, a chamber located adjacent to said chamber at the other end of the governor box, said governor box having partitions separating the last two mentioned chambers, a connection between the last two mentioned chambers, an automatic regulator for said connection, additional partitions in the governor box separating the last chamber from the Walls of the governor box, and having a port through one of said. partitions, the part of the'governor box outside of one of the last named partitions having a motor connection, and a tempo valve for controlling the last named port.

9. In a pneumatic governor mechanism, the combination of a main wind trunk, a motor, an exhaust chamber, second chamber, an intermediate channel communicating with both of said chambers, means for controlling the connection between said exhaust chamher and intermediate channel, a third chamberihaving a port adapted to be connected with. the motor, a passage from the second chamber for communicatingwith the main wiIid-trunk, means for controlling the last named passage, an air channel connecting the first named chamber with said third chamber, means for connecting said air channel directly with the motor, and means for controlling said last named connecting means and the means for controlling the connection of the second chamber with the main wind-trunk,

'10. A pneumatic governor box having fixed partitions forming an exhaust cham her having fixed walls and a second cham-' controlling the first of said ports, and a valve directly operated by the air in the chambers for automatically controlling the other port when-the first valve is closed.

11. A pneumatic governor box having an exhaust chamber having fixed walls, a second chamber adjacent thereto in the box, an intermediate channel in the box, ports connecting said intermediate channel with both of said cha1nbers, a valve within said intermediate channel for controlling the passa e of air through said channel from one chamber to the other, additional ports by which said chambers are connected, and a valve controlled and operated by the air in the chambers for automatically cont-rolling said last namedports when the first named valve is closed.

12. A pneumatic governor box having formed within its walls an exhaust chamber,

' a second chamber adjacent thereto, an intermediate channel, two sets of ports in the box connecting said chambers, one set of ports opening through the intermediate channel, a valve within said intermediate channel for controlling one of said sets of ports, and a valve operated and controlled by the air in the chambers tor automatically controlling the other set of ports whcnthe first valve is closed, whereby the closing of the first valve restricts the air between the two chambers and the same is automatically regulated.

13. A pneumatic governor box having two chambers from one of which air is exhausted, a partition separating said chambers, the wall of the box having ports connecting said chambers, a second partition forming a wall of each of said chambers having ports through which air can pass from one chamber to the other, a manually operated valve insaid box for controlling the ports in the second partition which communicate with one of said chambers, a valve outside the box controlled directly by the air in the chambers for automatically controlling the ports in the wall when the first valve is closed, a third valve chamber in the box having an inlet and a connection with the first chamber, a tempo valve in said box adapted to control the inlet to the third valve chamber, a valve outside the box controlled (lircctly by the air in the first chamber for antomatically controlling the connection of the exhausted chamber with said third chamber, and means for adjusting each of said air controlled valves, whereby they may be regulated to operate under different conditions of exhaustion.

let. A pneumatic governor box having a partition therein se arating two chambers, an exhaust chamber and a second chamber, two passage-ways between said chambers, means for controlling one of said passageways, a valve mounted on the box and controlled by the air in the chambers for automatically controlling the other pamage-way when the first named means operates to close the first, a third chamber in the box, a connection within the box for connecting the third chamber with the first or exhaust chamber, and 'a valve mounted on the box and controlled by the air in the first chamber for automatically controlling the connection of the first chamber with said third chamber.

15. A, pneumatic governor box having within its walls an exhaust chamber, a second exhaust chamber, a partition separating said chambers, said partition having a port, the Wall of the box having a port communicating with the first exhaust chamber, and a port for conducting air from the second chamber to said port in the wall, a valve within the box for controlling one of the first two of said ports, and a second valve operated by the air in the chaml: rs :r L. tomatically controlling the other if .e first two ports when the first valve is closed, whereby the closing of the firs valve restricts the flow of air between the two chambers, and the flow is automatically regulated when so restricted by the secon. alve.

In testi' nony whereof we hate hereunto set our hands, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

PETER \VELIN. v HJALMAR UTTER-BERG. ."itnesses:

ALBIN KRELL, EDWIN B. PFAU. 

